Paris, Prince of Troy, is blown off-course and lands his ship at Sparta - home of Menelaus and his queen, Helen.
Synopsis:
The story is told by the Old Soldier, looking back forty years to when he was a bodyguard at the Spartan court鈥
Paris, prince of Troy, is blown off course and his ships put in at Sparta. Troy is a powerful city and Paris is welcomed by King Menelaus and his beautiful queen, Helen. Paris makes himself at home and his familiarity with Helen gives the Soldier cause for concern.
When Menelaus is called away on business Paris uses the opportunity to declare his love for Helen and persuade her to return with him to Troy. The Soldier watches as Paris smuggles Helen on board his ship and the Trojan fleet ups anchor. The Soldier knows how Menelaus will react when he finds out; he knows it will mean war鈥nd that he will be 'in it up to my neck'.
See Resources below for a quiz about the story episode.
Resources
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More episodes from Ancient Greece: The Trojan War
Episode 2. video
Menelaus discovers Helen has eloped with Paris and issues an ultimatum to Troy: return her or face war.
Episode 3. video
The Greeks invade and the Trojans retreat behind the city walls...it's the start of 10 years of stalemate.
Episode 4. video
Achilles is refusing to fight and sends cousin Patroclus into battle wearing the hero's armour.
